Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. GOVERNMENT has introduced a digital tax payment system to improve efficiency and curb revenue leakages.
The transition, spearheaded through the new Tax and Revenue Management System (TaRMS), is expected to significantly strengthen government’s capacity to collect revenue.
Over 90% of the country’s public programmes are funded through taxes collected by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), making the system a vital pillar for sustainable economic growth.
Zimra board chairperson Anthony Mandiwanza emphasised the importance of the new platform.
“Enhancing transparency and broadening the tax base through TaRMS will not only improve revenue inflows but also support sustainable economic growth,” he said during the launch in Harare on Tuesday.
“This system is a critical enabler for the country’s broader development agenda.”
ZB Bank chief executive officer (banking) Elisha Chibvuri described the shift as both timely and transformative.
“If you follow global trends, then it is inevitable that most economies are adapting to such noble standards that seek to enhance transparency,” he explained.
“This trend will benefit the industry in terms of bottlenecks involved in the payment of taxes.”
Experts in trade and customs see the system as a catalyst for promoting compliance and building a tax-paying culture.
Principal at the Africa Centre for Customs, Excise and Trade Studies, Elisha Tshuma, said digitalisation eased the cost of transactions for taxpayers.
“Coming up with a system that eases the cost of transactions for the taxpayer means saving time and encouraging the culture of paying taxes, a norm in all global advanced economies,” he said.
Finance deputy minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa said the reforms aligned with government’s broader fiscal policy.
“It aligns with our mid-term budget review and allows for timely and accurate reporting, aiding policy decisions and enhancing accountability to the public,” he said.
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